Fill out Form 3903 (Moving Expenses) online
Form 3903 is used to claim the deduction for moving expenses incurred when relocating for work. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018, this deduction is available only to active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who move due to a military order for a permanent change of station.
How to fill out Form 3903 (Moving Expenses)
Verify eligibility
Confirm that you are an active-duty member of the Armed Forces and that the move is due to a military order for a permanent change of station. Civilian taxpayers are not eligible for this deduction for tax years 2018 through 2025.
Calculate transportation and storage expenses
Enter the cost of transporting your household goods and personal effects from your old home to your new home. Include packing, crating, in-transit storage (up to 30 consecutive days), and insurance costs.
Calculate travel expenses
Enter the cost of traveling from your old home to your new home, including lodging along the way. You can deduct actual vehicle expenses or use the standard mileage rate. Meals are not deductible.
Subtract reimbursements and transfer to Schedule 1
Reduce your total moving expenses by any reimbursements from the military that were excluded from your income (not included in box 1 of your W-2). Enter the net deductible amount on Schedule 1 as an adjustment to income.
About Form 3903 (Moving Expenses)
Who needs this form
Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who moved due to a permanent change of station, including moves related to the start of active duty, a transfer to a new permanent duty station, or retirement or separation from service. Civilian taxpayers cannot claim this deduction for tax years 2018 through 2025.
Where to submit
Attach Form 3903 to your Form 1040 or 1040-SR when filing your annual federal income tax return. The deduction is an adjustment to income reported on Schedule 1.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Civilian taxpayers attempting to claim the deduction (it is limited to active-duty military for 2018-2025)
- Including non-deductible expenses such as meals during the move, house-hunting trips, or temporary living costs
- Not reducing the moving expense deduction by reimbursements received from the military that were excluded from income
- Failing to keep receipts for transportation and storage of household goods
Frequently asked questions
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Can civilians deduct moving expenses?
No, not for tax years 2018 through 2025. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act suspended the moving expense deduction for civilian taxpayers. Only active-duty members of the Armed Forces who move pursuant to a military order for a permanent change of station can claim the deduction during this period. The suspension is currently set to expire after 2025.
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